Mother Charged With Killing Her Toddler by Feeding Her a Teaspoon of Salt

A 23-year-old mom from South Carolina is facing murder charges after her 17-month-old daughter died from salt poisoning. Peyton Martines was taken off life support Wednesday afternoon, a day after being declared brain dead, according to Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger.

Authorities charged Kimberly Martines, of Fingerville, South Carolina, with homicide by child abuse. She allegedly fed her toddler salt to try to win her husband's affection, South Carolina officials said. The two are separated. Martines was previously charged with felony child abuse but the charges were upgraded upon her daughter's death.

"She basically did that to try and get her husband's attention — to get him back into her life," Spartanburg County Solicitor Barry Barnette said.

Peyton was hospitalized on Sunday after Martines woke up hearing her daughter screaming. The salt — which in large quantities can be toxic, especially to small children whose kidneys are still developing, according to BuzzFeed — caused Peyton to have seizures and a high fever.

Salt poisoning is a recognized form of child abuse, according to BuzzFeed, which said a New York woman was convicted of poisoning her 5-year-old son last year by feeding him sodium through a feeding tube.

Citing arrest warrants, the Associated Press said a pediatrician was concerned about Peyton in November because the child wasn't gaining weight. Martines ignored the doctor's referrals to a specialist and a state program that helps babies with development delays, according to the AP.

Peyton has a twin sister and second sibling who are now in protective custody, deputies said.

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